Handcart with detachable bin

ABSTRACT

A wheeled handcart having a removable debris bin and pivotable handles, wherein the cart may be utilized with or without the debris bin, and wherein the cart may be utilized in a vertical or horizontal position. More specifically, the present invention comprises a cart, a debris bin, a partition, and a ramp for sweeping, raking or otherwise sliding debris or other objects into the cart or its bin. To provide a means for removably securing the debris bin within the cart, recessed areas are formed on the exterior side walls of the debris bin which engage with protrusions formed on the interior of the cart. To assist in preventing the debris or other content of the cart from spilling out, a partition is provided that slidably engages within tracks formed on the interior of the cart. When the debris bin is not installed, the partition serves to keep debris and other contents within the cart. Handles are pivotably connected to the cart to allow not only a multitude of advantaged lifting angles, but also the lifting of the handles such that the handles will not interfere with the loading or unloading of the cart. A plurality of hand holes or recessed areas, dimensioned for receiving a hand, are formed on the cart and the debris bin to facilitate the lifting, lowering and maneuvering of the device.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to carts and, more specifically,to transportable handcarts having removable storage and debristransportation containers.

BACKGROUND ART

There is a widespread need to facilitate the manual transportation ofyard, house, and industrial debris and other materials. As a result, avariety of handcarts have been proposed. With many traditionalhandcarts, however, the bin or storage space is an integral,undetachable portion of the device; and, thus, the functionality of thedevice has been restricted. Additionally, with many traditionalhandcarts, the carts were unable to be effectively placed in ahorizontal position to facilitate the insertion and removal of debrisand other materials. Moreover, of those cart designs that can be placedin a horizontal position, many do not provide a ramp means for theuser's ease in sweeping, raking, or otherwise sliding the debris orother materials into the cart. Such functionality is desirable so thatthe user need not lift such debris or other materials into the cart.

In an attempt to overcome some of these noted deficiencies, a number ofcarts having ramps have been patented. Examples of such devices may beseen with reference to U.S. Pat. No. 2,992,011 to Becan; U.S. Pat. No.3,106,303 to Finocchiaro; U.S. Pat. No. 3,875,981 to Brenner et al.;U.S. Pat. No. 4,261,596 to Douglas; U.S. Pat. No. 4,357,728 toPravettone; U.S. Pat. No. 4,442,567 to Pravettone; and, U.S. Pat. No.5,031,277 to Coker.

None of the above handcart devices, however, disclose or teach the novelfeatures of the present invention as disclosed herein.

It is readily apparent that a new and improved handcart is needed thathas a removable debris bin, a partition for securing the contents withinthe cart and/or debris bin, multiposition or pivotable handles forfacilitating the cart's maneuverability and function, and that has thecapability of being utilized with or without the debris bin. It is,therefore, to the provision of such an improvement that the presentinvention is directed.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly described, in a preferred embodiment, the present inventionovercomes the above-mentioned disadvantages by providing a handcarthaving a removable debris bin and pivotable handles wherein the cart maybe utilized with or without the debris bin, and wherein the cart may beutilized in a vertical or horizontal position.

More specifically, the present invention comprises a cart, a debris bin,a partition, and a ramp. The cart is generally elongated and defined bya first side wall, a second side wall, an end wall, and a bottom wall.Formed at the end distal from the end wall is a ramp portion that servesas a debris sweeping ramp, when the cart is placed in a horizontalposition, to allow the sweeping, raking or otherwise sliding of debrisor other objects into the cart; thus, eliminating the need to lift thedebris from the ground or flooring. The debris bin is generallyrectangular-box shaped with an open end. To provide a means forremovably securing the debris bin within the cart, recessed areas areformed on the exterior side walls of the debris bin which engage withprotrusions formed on the interior of the cart.

To assist in preventing the debris or other contents of the cart fromspilling out, a partition is provided that slidably engages withintracks formed on the interior of the cart. These tracks are formed at aposition that is proximate to the opening of debris bin, when it isinstalled within the cart, to serve as a partial lid or cover. When thedebris bin is not installed, the partition serves to keep debris andother contents within the cart.

The handles are pivotably connected to the cart to allow not only amultitude of advantaged lifting angles, but also to allow the lifting ofthe handles such that the handles will not interfere with the loading orunloading of the cart. Two wheels joined by an axle are attached to thebottom of the cart near the end wall to provide a means for easilyrolling and maneuvering the cart and its contents. In addition, aplurality of hand holes or recessed areas, dimensioned for receiving ahand, are formed on the cart and the debris bin to facilitate thelifting, lowering, and maneuvering of the present device.

Thus, an object, feature, and advantage of the present invention is toprovide a new and improved handcart having a removable debris bin.

Another object, feature, and advantage of the present invention is toprovide a new and improved handcart that can be utilized with or withoutthe removable debris bin.

Another object, feature, and advantage of the present invention is toprovide a new and improved handcart that can be utilized in a verticalor horizontal position.

Another object, feature, and advantage of the present invention is toprovide a new and improved handcart having handles that are rotatablesuch that the handles may be placed in a plurality of positions.

Another object, feature, and advantage of the present invention is toprovide a new and improved handcart having a partition for keeping thecontents within the cart or debris bin.

Another object, feature, and advantage of the present invention is toprovide a new and improved handcart having an angled bottom wall portionwhich serves as a ramp when the cart is placed in a horizontal positionfor facilitating the sweeping, raking, or otherwise sliding of debris orother objects into the cart or debris bin.

Another object, feature, and advantage of the present invention is toprovide a new and improved handcart having a plurality of wheels toprovide a means for moving the cart and its contents.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the invention willbecome more apparent to one skilled in the art from the followingdescription and claims when read in light of the accompanying Figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The present invention best will be understood through consideration of,and reference to, the following Figures, viewed in conjunction with theDetailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment referring thereto, inwhich like reference numbers throughout the various Figures designatelike structure and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective partially exploded view of the device accordingto a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective partially exploded view of the device accordingto a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the device according to an alternateembodiment of the present invention wherein the debris bin is removedand materials are strapped within the cart of the device according to apreferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the device according to a preferred embodimentof the present invention; and,

FIG. 5 is a cutaway side view of the device according to a preferredembodiment of the present invention.

As the reader doubtless will realize, the invention is susceptible ofother and different embodiments, and its several details are capable ofmodifications in various respects, all without departing from the scopeand spirit of the present invention. Accordingly, the Figures and thedescriptions referring thereto are to be regarded as only illustrativein nature, and not as restrictive.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In describing the various embodiments of the present inventionillustrated in the Figures, specific terminology is employed for thesake of clarity. The invention, however, is not intended to be limitedto the specific terminology so selected, and it is to be understood thateach specific element includes all technical equivalents that operate ina similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-5, device 10 generally comprises cart 20 anddebris bin 80. More specifically, cart 20 is generally arectangular-shaped open apparatus defined by first side wall 22, endwall 32, second side wall 34, and bottom wall 35. To facilitate theloading and/or unloading of debris D into and from cart 20, a portion ofthe proximal end of bottom wall 35 is angled downward; thus, forming aramp 36 wherein the proximal end of ramp 36 mates with the ground orflooring when device 10 is placed in the horizontal position, and thedistal end of ramp 36 mates approximately with debris bin 80, wheninstalled. Preferably, first side wall 22 and second side wall 34 extenddownward at the proximal end to engage ramp 36, thus forming extensionportions 37, 38. When device 10 is placed in the horizontal position,bottom surfaces 39 of extension portions 37, 38 and the proximal end oframp 36 rest upon the ground or flooring.

To provide means for rolling cart 20, wheel assembly 40 is attachedpreferably at the distal end of cart 20 proximate to bottom wall 35.Wheel assembly 40 generally comprises two wheels 42 rotatably connectedvia axle 44. To accommodate wheel assembly 40 on cart 20, raised areas50 are preferably formed on the distal ends of first side wall 22,second side wall 34, and bottom wall 35 proximate to end wall 32. Raisedareas 50 are dimensioned for receiving wheels 42. Axle 44 extendsthrough throughholes 51 formed through raised areas 50 on first sidewall 22 and second side wall 34, and is attached to wheels 42 at eachend through throughholes 45 formed through wheels 42. Throughholes 51 ofraised areas 50 are formed preferably at a position such that end wall32 aligns with the outer circumference of wheels 42 and such that wheels42 extend slightly beyond bottom wall 35. It should be noted that largeror smaller wheels may be utilized to mechanically advantage the movementof cart 20, and as such, the size and location of throughholes 51 andthe size of raised areas 50 may be modified accordingly. Wheels 42 maybe attached to axle 44 via eye pins, lug nuts, or other well knownattaching means. Preferably, the length of axle 44 is approximately thewidth of cart 20 such that the outer edges of wheels 42 approximatelyalign with first side wall 22 and second side wall 34, respectively. Itwill be recognized that a tube, or other equivalent structure, maytraverse between throughholes 51 for housing axle 44 and sheltering itfrom frictional contact with a load L (FIG. 3) and from the deleteriouseffects of any debris contained within cart 20.

Extending approximately from the distal end of ramp 36 to raised areas50 on the interior of first side wall 22 and second side wall 34 areprotrusions 28 dimensioned for mating and snap-fitting with recessedareas 88 of debris bin 80 as further described below.

Pivotably attached to the exterior of first side wall 22 and second sidewall 34 near the proximal end of cart 20 are preferably two handlesupports 66 for receiving and securing the distal end of handles 64.Handles 64 are generally L-shaped members and are secured to handlesupports 66 by any well-known means such as welding, bolting, oreyepinning. At the proximal end of handles 64 are handle grips 70dimensioned for snugly receiving the proximal ends of handles 64.

To facilitate the movement and lifting of cart 20, a plurality of handle64 positions are allowed by way of pivotably attached handle supports66. More specifically, handle supports 66 are attached such that handlesupports 66 pivot from a generally parallel position, relative to sidewalls 22, 34, to a generally perpendicular position, relative to sidewalls 22, 34. Through the use of well known means such as snap fittings,or protrusion and aperture mechanisms, handle supports 66 are lockedinto a plurality of positions.

The positioning of handle supports 66 and the length of handles 64 aresuch that when handle supports 66 are positioned in a parallel positionrelative to side walls 22, 34, the proximal ends of handles 64 andhandle grips 70 do not extend past bottom surfaces 39 of extensionportions 37, 38, so that when cart 20 is placed in the horizontalposition, handles 64 and handle grips 70 do not interfere with bottomsurfaces 39 resting upon the ground or flooring.

Advantageously, the position of handles 64 may be adjusted by the userand so oriented as to provide for the user's ease and comfort whileusing cart 20. For example, the user may adjust the handles 64 to such aconvenient angle as will provide for his comfort and maximum leveragewhen using cart 20 as a conventional wheelbarrow; i.e., in a slightlyoff horizontal position; or, as a handtruck; i.e., in a slightlyoff-vertical position.

To further assist in lifting and maneuvering cart 20, preferably, handslots 24, dimensioned for receiving the hand, are formed at the distalend of cart 20 on side walls 22, 34 proximate to raised areas 50, endwall 32, and surface 75. It should be noted that additional hand slots24 may be positioned along cart 20 to provide further assistance inmaneuvering the device.

Provided are securing straps 72 having fastening means 74. In order toprovide an attaching means for straps 72, preferably, strap slits 26 areformed on both sides of cart 20 in side walls 22, 34 near surface 75.Each strap slit 26 has an opposing strap slit 26 generally positioneddirectly across on the opposite side wall. In use, straps 72, extendingthrough strap slits 26, are utilized to help secure a load L within cart20 when device 10 is used without debris bin 80. Alternatively, althoughnot necessary, when debris bin 80 is utilized, straps 72 can be used toprovide additional securing means for securing debris bin 80 within cart20.

Partition 52 is provided to assist in containing debris D or othercontents within debris bin 80, when debris bin 80 is utilized, or withincart 20, when cart 20 is used without debris bin 80. Formed preferablyalong first side wall 22 and second side wall 34, generallyperpendicular to bottom wall 35 and near the distal end of ramp 36 arepreferably two tracks 56, 58, one on each side wall 22, 34. Tracks 56,58 are dimensioned to slidably receive and engage partition 52. In thepreferred embodiment, the length of partition 52 is approximately equalto the width of side walls 22 and 34. In use, after a user has filledcart 20, partition 52 may be slid onto cart 20, thereby securing thecontents within cart 20. Alternatively, or as an additional component ofdevice 10, the length of partition 52 is approximately equal to thewidth of debris bin 80 such that the opening of debris bin 80 issubstantially covered when debris bin 80 is in cart 20. In use, after auser has filled debris bin 80, partition 52 may be slid onto cart 20thereby securing the contents of debris bin 80.

To assist in inserting and removing partition 52 from tracks 56, 58,preferably, hand slot 54, dimensioned for receiving a hand, is formedgenerally in the center of partition 52 near the end distal from bottomwall 35.

Debris bin 80 is preferably and generally rectangular-box shaped with anopen end and is, more particularly, defined by side walls 92, 96, endwall 94, bottom wall 98, and top wall 100. Formed on the exterior ofside walls 92, 96 are recessed areas 88 dimensioned to mate with and tosnapfit or slide within with protrusions 28 of cart 20; thereby,removably securing debris bin 80 within cart 20. Formed on the distalend of debris bin 80 on side walls 92, 96, end wall 94, and bottom wall98 are recessed areas 86, dimensioned for receiving raised areas 50 ofcart 20 such that bottom wall 98 of debris bin 80 rests approximatelyflush against bottom wall 35 of cart 20 when debris bin 80 is engagedwithin cart 20.

To assist in inserting and removing debris bin 80 to and from cart 20,preferably, two recessed hand grips 82, 84, dimensioned for receiving ahand, are formed to the exterior of debris bin 80. Hand grip 82 ispositioned generally near the center of top wall 100, and hand grip 84is positioned on end wall 94 generally near top wall 100. Known withinthe art, each hand grip 82, 84 has a lip or lips formed therein toprovide the user a means for securely grabbing and griping debris bin80.

Device 10 best may be manufactured of high impact plastic materials suchas are well-known in the art, and formed in accordance with traditionalplastic molding processes. It will be apparent to those ordinarilyskilled in the art that cart 20 may be provided with an end wall 32having an outward taper according to traditional wheelbarrow designs.Additionally, cart 20 may be provided with side walls 22, 34 havingsimilarly outwardly tapering walls.

Debris bins of varying shapes and sizes may be provided to accommodateapplication of the device in a variety of fields of use. For example,but not by way of limitation, the debris bin 80 can be provided with topwall 100 having an arcuate shape; or, in combination with modified sidewalls 92, 96, and an arcuately shaped top wall 100, the bin can beprovided with a mushroom-shaped cross-section.

Similarly, debris bin 80 may be provided with any of a variety of paperor plastic liners for catching and holding debris D, and for the user'sease in disposal. Alternatively, a paper-type debris bin may beprovided, in combination with retaining clips, for the user's ease andconvenience.

Furthermore, without departing from either the scope or spirit of thepresent invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art thatthe bin securing function of protrusions 28 and mating recessed areas 88may be provided through alternative means, as with simple clips, pin andhole arrangements, spring detent-type pins and cooperating recesses, orthe like. Similarly, protrusions 28 and mating recessed areas 88 may bereversed in their locations such that protrusion 28 is carried by bin 80and recessed area 88 is carried by cart 20. The locations of protrusions28 and recessed areas 88 may be varied about the periphery of theirrespective carrying members in order to suit the configuration of cart20 and the needs of the field of application of the invention.

Additionally, it will be apparent that ramp 36 may be provided havingone or more hinges at the location where the distal end of ramp 36 meetsbottom wall 35. With such a configuration, ramp 36 may serve to replacepartition 52.

The above detailed description of preferred and alternative embodiments,then, have been provided for exemplary purposes only and are not meant,nor should they be read, to limit the scope or spirit of the presentinvention; rather, the invention hereof is limited only by the appendedclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A transport cart comprising: a cart portioncomprising a first end having an end wall proximate thereto, an opensecond end, a first side wall, a second side wall, and a bottom wall,said walls in combination forming an open-second end and open-top cavitytherebetween, said bottom wall of said cart portion disposed to act as afloor within said cavity when said cart portion is placed in ahorizontal position; means carried by said first end of said cartportion for moving said transport cart; means carried by said second endof said cart portion for maneuvering said cart portion; a bin removablyengagable within said cavity of said cart portion, said bin having anopening wherein said opening faces said second end of said cart portion;and, a partition engagable with said cart portion within said cavity andnear said opening of said bin, wherein said partition acts to assist inpreventing the contents of said bin from escaping when said bin isengaged within said cavity of said cart portion, and wherein saidpartition acts to assist in preventing the contents of said cavity ofsaid cart portion from escaping when said bin is not engaged within saidcavity.
 2. The transport cart of claim 1, wherein said maneuvering meansis a handle.
 3. The transport cart of claim 1, wherein said moving meanscomprises wheels joined by an axle.
 4. The transport cart of claim 1,further comprising a protrusion carried within said cavity of said cartportion and a recessed area formed on said bin, wherein said protrusioncooperatively engages said recessed area when said bin is placed in saidcavity of said cart portion, thereby removably securing said bin withinsaid cavity.
 5. The transport cart of claim 1, further comprising ahandle carried on said bin to assist in inserting and removing said binfrom said cavity of said cart portion.
 6. The transport cart of claim 1,further comprising a slit formed in at least one said wall of said cartportion for the securing of restraining devices such as straps, belts,strings, or elastic cords.
 7. The transport cart of claim 1, furthercomprising a strap and a plurality of slits formed in at least one saidwall of said cart portion, wherein said strap is inserted through saidplurality of slits to restrain the contents of said cavity of said cartportion.
 8. The transport cart of claim 1, further comprising a slotformed in at least one said wall of said cart portion, wherein said slotis dimensioned for a user's hand, such that said slot provides a meansfor lifting and maneuvering said cart portion.
 9. A transport cartcomprising: a cart portion comprising a first end having an end wallproximate thereto, an open second end, a first side wall, a second sidewall, and a bottom wall, said walls in combination forming anopen-second end and open-top cavity therebetween, said bottom wall ofsaid cart portion disposed to act as a floor within said cavity whensaid cart portion is placed in a horizontal position; a plurality ofhandles carried by said second end of said cart portion for maneuveringsaid cart portion; a pair of wheels carried by said first end of saidcart portion for moving said transport cart; a bin removably engagablewithin said cavity of said cart portion, said bin having an openingwherein said opening faces said second end of said cart portion; and, apartition engagable with said cart portion within said cavity and nearsaid opening of said bin, wherein said partition acts to assist inpreventing the contents of said bin from escaping when said bin isengaged within said cavity of said cart portion, and wherein saidpartition acts to assist in preventing the contents of said cavity ofsaid cart portion from escaping when said bin is not engaged within saidcavity.
 10. The transport cart of claim 9, further comprising at leastone protrusion carried within said cavity of said cart portion and atleast one recessed area formed on said bin, wherein said protrusioncooperatively engages said recessed area when said bin is placed in saidcavity of said cart portion, thereby removably securing said bin withinsaid cavity.
 11. The transport cart of claim 9, further comprising ahandle carried on said bin to assist in inserting and removing said binfrom said cavity of said cart portion.
 12. The transport cart of claim9, further comprising a slit formed in at least one said wall of saidcart portion for the securing of restraining devices such as straps,belts, strings or elastic cords.
 13. The transport cart of claim 9,further comprising a strap and a plurality of slits formed in at leastone said wall of said cart portion, wherein said strap is insertedthrough said plurality of slits to restrain the contents of said cavityof said cart portion.
 14. The transport cart of claim 9, furthercomprising a slot formed in at least one said wall of said cart portion,wherein said slot is dimensioned for a user's hand such that said slotprovides a means for lifting and maneuvering said cart portion.
 15. Atransport cart comprising: a cart portion comprising a first end havingan end wall proximate thereto, an open second end, a first side wall, asecond side wall, and a bottom wall, said walls in combination formingan open-second end and open-top cavity therebetween, said bottom wall ofsaid cart portion disposed to act as a floor within said cavity whensaid cart portion is placed in a horizontal position, said bottom wallfurther being angled proximate said second end of said cart portion toform a ramp having a first end and a second end, wherein said second endof said ramp contacts the ground or flooring when said cart portion isplaced in a horizontal position; a plurality of handles pivotablycarried by said second end of said cart portion for maneuvering saidcart portion; a plurality of wheels carried by said first end of saidcart portion for moving said transport cart; a bin removably engagedwithin said cavity of said cart portion, said bin having an openingwherein said opening faces said second end of said cart portion andpositioned proximal to said first end of said ramp; and, a partitionslidably engaged with said cart portion within said cavity proximal tosaid opening of said bin, wherein said partition acts to assist inpreventing the contents of said bin from escaping when said bin isengaged within said cavity of said cart portion, and wherein saidpartition acts to assist in preventing the contents of said cavity ofsaid cart portion from escaping when said bin is not engaged within saidcavity.
 16. The transport cart of claim 15, further comprising at leastone protrusion carried within said cavity of said cart portion and atleast one recessed area formed on said bin, wherein said protrusioncooperatively and releasably engages said recessed area when said bin isplaced in said cavity of said cart portion, thereby removably securingsaid bin within said cavity.
 17. The transport cart of claim 15, furthercomprising a plurality of handles carried on said bin to assist ininserting and removing said bin from said cavity of said cart portion.18. The transport cart of claim 15, further comprising a strap and aplurality of slits formed in at least one said wall of said cartportion, wherein said strap is inserted through said plurality of slitsto restrain the contents of said cavity of said cart portion.
 19. Thetransport cart of claim 15, further comprising a plurality of slotsformed in at least one said wall of said cart portion, wherein saidplurality of slots are dimensioned for a user's hand such that saidplurality of slots provide a means for lifting and maneuvering said cartportion.